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DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! Going to Montreal last year was one of the highlights of my entire life. Better than learning to walk! Better than walking across the stage at graduation! Better than picking up my balls and walking away from my ex!

The only question remaining is...will Basquo get a tattoo to commemorate the occasion? I did in Montreal!

I just wanted to say how wonderful it it to see so many of our family and friends going to SF..and to those who are still working out their plans, I hope you can all make it, it looks like this is going to be bigger than last year and I can't wait to see you all there.

I just bought a share in a fixer... a 33` Hunter sloop (sleeps 7) and is very nicely appointed with extras. My boat partner claimed to have so much knowledge on sailing but on the first day, he hoisted the jib and it was upside down.

I had to let him do that because he always knows more than I do on any topic . The yacht dealer saw, came out of his office to recommend we do not take the boat out that day because there was near gale conditions and small craft advisories. I knew that but watching this person show off has been more entertaining than prime time TV.

I named the boat "Jus Kiddin" and she will be berthed at Pier 39 (Guest Berth) during AMG 07. I will be staying there and if JeffreyJ attends AMG, a bay sail will be on my agenda. Have the best dayMichael(who sez, if anyone uses any Popeye the Sailor routines, they will be the MOB (man overboard) drill candidate).

I can't wait. I had such a great time in Montreal and met an amazing group of people who are now my mates.If any of you are a bit wary of meeting with strangers like this..........don't be! You'll find it really easy.

I haven't been on the forum for a while and it's great to see you all still there and just as gorgeous.

So far, I've counted 25 people who will be attending for sure (not including partners of members) and another 8 or so who are thinking about it.

Allan

To add to what Allan posted, so far we also have 4 countries (Aus, NZ, UK, and US), with the additional possibility of Greece. That's pretty cool as far as I'm concerned. (I suspect Canada and Belgium may also be added to the list but we'll see.)

Whatever the final number is I think it's exciting that so many new members are coming and so many different countres will be represented.

P.S. This year I will be much prepared, and ahead of the game, and there will be no need to drag anyone on a fruitless late-night beer run to law-abiding convenience stores with promises of underground hotel outlets while I have a cold but want to get drunk with my friends when all we need do is raid the bloody mini-bar, eh, Jen?

You know Creighton, HIV is a funny thing. You forget the damnedest things. For instance, I remember you made a great punch from the Mini Bar. But someone else just asked me if I still had their underware, and damned if I can remember if I do or not. Now that is something you would think I would remember.

robert

(who really must get his own personal inventory...and priorities... in order.)

Ok, I know this is a very friendly group of people. But I'm extremely shy. And new situations where I don't really know anyone causes me some significantly elevated level of anxiety. Despite that, I am toying with the idea of coming to the gathering in San Francisco. So somebody, hold my hand and convince me that I'll have a decent time. (yep, my insecurity is showing).

Dan J.

My airline timcket was purchased over the weekend. I found a really good deal. 185.00 round trip from Memphis. Frontier Airlines is starting air service in Memphis May 12th . I think that is why I got a really good deal.

Ok, I know this is a very friendly group of people. But I'm extremely shy. And new situations where I don't really know anyone causes me some significantly elevated level of anxiety. Despite that, I am toying with the idea of coming to the gathering in San Francisco. So somebody, hold my hand and convince me that I'll have a decent time. (yep, my insecurity is showing).

Hey Blixer:

I wish I could think of something clever and naughty to say to help ease your mind. Fact is, I understand completely what you are saying. While lord knows I'm not a "shy" man , I am an intensely private man. So I can relate to what you are saying, just from a slightly different perspective.

I remember having the same concerns and questions you are having before I went to the first gathering. I finally just told myself: "Look, if I get there and it turns out that I have nothing in common with the others, if it turns out I'm having a totally lousy time, then the worst thing that can happen is I can simply go off by myself and see a beautiful city on my own (in that case Toronto)."

Funny thing is, I didn't need to do that. All of my fears and anxieties were for naught. They left me in like 13.2 seconds (give or take).

I hope you decide to join us. If all it's going to take is for someone to hold your hand, then I suspect there are a whole lot of us willing to do that.

And if none of this has made any impact, then I'll also offer to bring copious amounts of Ativan to help calm your nerves.

I'm pretty sure you want to, I'm confident you will have a great time, I hope you decide to just do it.

i'm super shy, I mean extremely shy. I've been living in San Diego for almost 4 years now and only went to a bar 4 times... But when I jump and pass the anxiety of entering the place, I'm completely different and when I tell people I'm shy they don't believe me at all. Going to AMG would be a serious breach in my shyness, but i'm so tempted. I know exactely what you feel.

I hope you both make it. I'm not so much shy or private. I'm just insecure and paranoid. But I sucked it in and went. When I got to the "meet and greet" at the bar, I went out to the balconey. I took one step and damned if RIC didn't come right up to me and before he even said a word RAB comes from behind and starts talking and then I spy Dingo sitting off in a corner and I wave and then in the other corner is Jan, waving madly at me. My god, I thought, this might not be so bad after all.

Thanks Jerry, RAB, Milker, and Robert. It is interesting to see that others have similar struggles/thoughts from different reasons. You are so right RAB... worst case you just go it alone and have a good time... I'm actually pretty used to traveling alone. Sometimes though people think I'm stand offish but it is just that I'm so shy. So maybe I share some insecurities with others and have just made a bigger deal out of this in my mind than I need to. I'll check into things over the next couple of days and seriously consider it. And yes, I'll probably still need a bit of hand holding... at least at first. LOL. The Ativan might just knock me out.

you know, milker, I've taken a keen interest in you ever since you started posting. You see, of the maybe-not-so-interesting side effect of my meds is my significantly increased desire for milk. I drink 1/2 gallon/day, minimum. In deference to my high cholosterol I've gone from whole milk to fat free. Now when I go to this AMG thing I know I won't be getting my fix of milk, so I'm sorta depending on you.

Blixer, I promise if I see you standing off by yourself I will eagerly introduce myself and make you feel at ease. Likewise, Milker, I would do same to you--but please, please, please leave the dust mask at home. I've been wanting to see that face for quite awhile now. Stated by someone who can be shy around groups. I really think initial shyness is in most of us however the reality at AMG is that there's just too many nice folks attending.xxx,Mike

Add two more to the number of attendees...I got our tickets last night. Now seems to be a good (cheap) time to purchase tickets, for some reason. For those that feel shy... don't worry about it. If it's like Montreal, I imagine you'll forget that shyness when you start meeting people from the group. One thing that might help is finding out who will be arriving around the same time and sharing a cab. That'll give you time to 'meet' online first to coordinate arrivals and then meet in person at the airport. It'll keep you from being alone when you first arrive (and save some $$). I can't wait to see those from last year and meet those attending the Gathering for the first time!

Thanks everyone for your encouragement. I realize that most everyone has a certain level of shyness most likely. And I"m confident that this is a great group and I'd have a good time. And RapidRod, I also blush easily... some people get a kick out of that <grin>. So Mike, at least now I have the confidence that if I"m standing off by myself you will come to my rescue. Coordinating arrivals and sharing the cost of transportation to the hotel would be a great thing too.

The rest of my week is totally busy with work stuff but I'm going to try to do some checking on flights this weekend and make my final decision soon. Is most everyone arriving on Thursday and leaving on Monday?

Blixer, you are no worse off than I am. I've talked to Rocky and Lisa on the phone and that's it. I've met Nadine, Jeff and Jeffery at my home, which they advised will not be going, but other than that, I have never met any of these folks. It should be a good time. I MADE THE DECISION FOR YOU. YOU....ARE....GOING...

Rod, Tim, I'm so glad you are both going to make it this year, look forward to seeing you both.

So far I have counted 31..with still a few possibles to decide, is anyone keeping count, I never was very good with numbers.

David and David I'm really looking forward to seeing you guys again.

Don't forget guys we will have two wedding anniversaries to celebrate while we are there...Ric and Thom and the two Davids..we may have to celebrate a day or so earlier but celebrate we will, so get those cocktails ordered and lined up...

HugsJan

Edited to add...all my flights have been confirmed, just a few things to do...like pay for the tickets and secure the flights..damn those flights have gone up since last year, but it's all worth it.

Ok, RapidRod... Your prodding has worked. Unless some major disaster (or significant inconvenience) gets in my way I'll work on deatils this weekend and see if I can make it happen. And you guys will have to make me have a good time even if I resist. LOL